PISCATAWAY, NJ – Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced today that 53 year old Mahamed Khan of Piscataway was one of the following 12 defendants charged with first-degree money laundering, second-degree theft by unlawful taking, and third-degree fraudulent use of credit cards:

According to investigators, members of this elaborate fraud ring -- many of whom live in Secaucus and Jersey City -- allegedly created “synthetic” identities by pairing real Social Security numbers with fictitious names and birth dates, using them to obtain credit cards, open bank accounts, and to steal approximately $3 million from various banks.

“Between 2012 and 2015, these defendants allegedly obtained hundreds of credit cards with fake identities, engaging in millions of dollars in phony transactions at a network of shell businesses, most of which were created solely to commit this fraud,” said Director Elie Honig of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice.

Nahim Tahir, of Clark, allegedly was primarily responsible for creating the synthetic identities and applying for the bank accounts and credit cards used in the fraud.

Hassan Shahbaz, of Jersey City, is the owner of USA United Trading, a business in Jersey City that he allegedly opened for the sole purpose of defrauding financial institutions. It is alleged that USA United Trading conducted approximately $1.6 million in fraudulent credit card transactions over the past 22 months. USA United Trading held itself out as a carpet retailer, with a store front at 150 Monticello Avenue in Jersey City that had several rolled up carpets in the window.

With the exception of Khan, who is being sought on an arrest warrant as a fugitive, all have been arrested and are being lodged in the Union County Jail with bail for each set at $1 million, no 10 percent option.

“While the credit card holders, businesses and purchases in this scheme were fictitious, the losses suffered by the banks were very real and totaled an alarming $3 million,” said New Jersey Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman. “We’ll remain extremely vigilant on this front, because financial fraud on this scale hurts commerce and can bankroll other crimes. Our investigation is ongoing, but we’re confident that with these arrests, we’ve dismantled this prolific theft ring in New Jersey.”

The charge of first-degree money laundering carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison, including a mandatory minimum term of parole ineligibility of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed. It also carries a fine of up to $500,000 and an additional anti-money laundering profiteering penalty of up to $500,000 or three times the value of any property involved. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Because they are indictable offenses, the charges will be presented to a state grand jury for potential indictment.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. — Officials at the New York Racing Association and New York State Gaming Commission have placed Barn 10 at Belmont Park under quarantine after a suspected case of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) developed in that barn. The quarantine is effective immediately.

The affected horse, a 4-year-old filly trained by Tom Albertrani, developed a fever on Feb. 12 and ...

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - On a particular Tuesday evening, Jim Fisher stood in front of a group of coaches and doctors at the newly ​-​ renovated, start-of-the-art simulation center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick.

Jim’s son, Sean, died in Aug ​just​ 2008, as a result of an undetected heart defect. He was just about to turn 13. The two and their family are ...

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - Rising tech company LiveShopBuy held a South Plainfield Merchant Launch celebration on Tuesday, February 6th at NanKing Restaurant in South Plainfield. The event commemorated the partnership between South Plainfield and LiveShopBuy in creating an online directory of all small businesses. Once part of the directory, each business can post products on the ...

It's hard to go on a serious diet, one on which you expect to be successful and maintain a loss. Fortunately, in his new book Super Carb Diet, Bob Harper has given the weight watching world a sensible new diet plan to help achieve a healthy weight.

Having the winter off can make any horse flabby and out-of-shape. However, for the senior horse, a long, hard winter can really set them back in regards to their muscle tone and endurance, according to Laurie Cerny, editor of www.equineseniors.com

“This has been one of those years that between long stretches of sub-zero weather and heavy snow storms many of us have ...

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ -The owners of an East Brunswick hotel are suing to halt the construction of another such establishment a few miles away in New Brunswick.

Shan & Dylan LLC, who own a Comfort Suites just off Route 18, filed suit in an effort to press the New Brunswick Planning Board to rescind its approval of the four-story hotel, which ​was issued in November.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios welcomed New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick on Feb. 14, as the Governor hosted mayors from throughout the County for a roundtable discussion on critical issues facing the County’s towns and residents. East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen was there, asking questions about ...

The South Plainfield Wrestling Team finished their dual meet season with a deceiving 20-7 record. This past week saw the Tigers defeat Ewing (69-4), Bordentown Regional (49-9), and Ocean Township (54-6) to win the Central Jersey Group III Sectional Championship. This advanced South Plainfield to the Group III State Championships yet again. The wrestling team defeated Voorhees ...

This past week South Plainfield’s Co-ed Swim Team finished their season. The team was competitive in most meets, many times competing against bigger schools. Junior Alyzah Ziga was an integral part of the Tiger’s Swim Team.

On Friday 2/2, Alyzah scored a total of 8 points against Linden with a 1st place in the 200 Individual Medley with a time of 2:29.55 and in 1st ...

Letters to the Editor

The South Plainfield Middle School Student Council would like to express our thanks for the support of local businesses and organizations in our fundraising efforts. A spaghetti dinner was hosted by the South Plainfield Elks Lodge #2298 on January 13th. Mrs. Sharon Reuter and members of her Youth Committee and kitchen crew provided dinner for family, friends and staff of South ...

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - The South Plainfield Board of Education announced Feb. 8 that Sam Fierra had been appointed director of guidance for the South Plainfield School District.

Fierra previously served as interim director of guidance South Plainfield before being permanently appointed to the position in January, replacing Elaine Gallo who retired after serving as director for 10 years.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - The students and Board of Limited Jurisdiction of Holy Savior Academy (HSA), South Plainfield hosted a special luncheon to honor and celebrate the Pastors of twelve local Catholic churches that sponsor the school.

The event was held at HSA on Tuesday February 13 and included a festive lunch featuring a home-cooked meal prepared by members of ...

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - Holy Savior Academy’s cheerleading squad is on winning streak. Competing at the Biddy Level in the CCCANJ League, the girls took 1st place in the first two competitions of this cheer season. The 12 girl squad competed in the Immaculate Conception and the St. Mary’s competitions and came out on top beating fellow Catholic Schools, Immaculate ...

Columns

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – Legislation sponsored by Senator Patrick Diegnan to allow municipalities to authorize a parking authority as a redevelopment entity is now law.

“We know that smart redevelopment can help to revitalize areas within a town or city, but we have to make sure that municipalities have the flexibility to undertake projects in the most effective way,” said ...

South Plainfield received over two inches of rain this past weekend. Fortunately, Mother Nature has cooperated, and the precipitation was not of the frozen variety. Despite the rain, nothing could put a damper on South Plainfield’s spirit of helping those in need.

On Saturday a few Borough employees and I had the opportunity to deliver funds that have been raised for a family that has ...

It's hard to go on a serious diet, one on which you expect to be successful and maintain a loss. Fortunately, in his new book Super Carb Diet, Bob Harper has given the weight watching world a sensible new diet plan to help achieve a healthy weight.

Tax forms are here! The IRS has sent us printed copies of some of the most commonly used forms and instruction books. We will continue putting them out as long as our supply lasts. If you need other forms, we have them available for copying or you can print them out from IRS.gov. Look on our website for more tax-related links.

All young people ages 8 through 14 are invited to participate in the 2018 Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest sponsored by the South Plainfield Knights of Columbus Council #6203. Students that attend any schools in South Plainfield are welcomed to participate. Students are encouraged to develop an original poster and slogan idea designed to discourage their ...

Bert Baron, the well-known WCTC AM radio morning talk show host, was the guest speaker at the February 1st Suburban Woman’s Club meeting at the South Plainfield American Legion Hall, attended by 22 members.

With the same upbeat, conversational style Mr. Baron uses on his morning show, he recounted his love for radio from early childhood, his dream to someday have his own show, and ...

Press Releases

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ - The New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC), a nonprofit agency serving court-involved individuals, is pleased to announce the grand opening a new reentry site in Middlesex County on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018 at 11 a.m. The office is located at 57 Livingston Avenue, Unit 3, New Brunswick, N.J. 08901. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin will offer remarks and cut ...